Electron Probe Type Patents (Class 250/310)
  • Patent number: 12255045
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission charged particle microscope comprising a charged particle beam source for emitting a charged particle beam, a sample holder for holding a sample, an illuminator for directing the charged particle beam emitted from the charged particle beam source onto the sample, and a control unit for controlling operations of the transmission charged particle microscope. As defined herein, the transmission charged particle microscope is arranged for operating in at least two modes that substantially yield a first magnification whilst keeping said diffraction pattern substantially in focus. Said at least two modes comprise a first mode having first settings of a final projector lens of a projecting system; and a second mode having second settings of said final projector lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventor: Peter Christiaan Tiemeijer
  • Patent number: 12211200
    Abstract: A wafer inspection method is provided. The wafer inspection method includes identifying a plurality of candidate regions on an image of a DUT on a wafer; generating a confidence score for each of the plurality of candidate regions, wherein the confidence score indicates a probability of a candidate region including a probe mark; selecting a first candidate region having the highest confidence score as a selected region; determining whether a second candidate region in the plurality of candidate regions includes the same probe mark as the first candidate region; and eliminating the second candidate region if the second candidate region includes the same probe mark as the first candidate region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chia-Lin Tsai, Hung-Ru Li, Wun-Ye Ku
  • Patent number: 12194534
    Abstract: A method for controlling an energy beam in an additive manufacturing machine when forming a three-dimensional article layer by layer by successive fusion of selected areas of powder layers, which selected areas correspond to successive layers of the article. The method includes steps of radiating a powder layer by the energy beam and creating a set of images of the powder layer for a set of positions on the powder layer by detecting particles emitted, backscattered or reflected from the powder layer when being radiated, comparing data representing the set of images and reference data with each other for identifying a difference between the energy beam when used on the powder layer and the reference data, with respect to at least one energy beam parameter, and adjusting the energy beam based on such an identified difference between the energy beam when used on the powder layer and the reference data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Arcam AB
    Inventor: Johan Backlund
  • Patent number: 12198894
    Abstract: A method of setting a parameter of a charged particle beam device, for shortening the time required to adjust an ABCC parameter. An inverse conversion processing unit generates a simulator input signal corresponding to an electron emitted from a sample. A simulation detector uses an arithmetic model that simulates a detector and executes arithmetic processing on the simulator input signal in a state in which characteristic information is reflected in an arithmetic parameter. A simulated image conversion unit executes arithmetic processing corresponding to an image conversion unit and converts a signal from the simulation detector into a simulated image. An ABCC search unit searches for an ABCC parameter with respect to the simulation detector so that an evaluation value obtained from the simulated image becomes a specified reference value, and outputs the ABCC parameter as a search result to an ABCC control unit of the actual machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Oinuma, Kazuki Ikeda, Wen Li, Masashi Wada
  • Patent number: 12189723
    Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for imputing missing data items within a first dataset based on data associated with a second dataset that is the nearest neighbor of the first dataset. A first mapping model is configured to map data subsets corresponding to a first data source to first positions in a multi-dimensional space. A second mapping model is configured to map data subsets corresponding to a second data source to second positions in the multi-dimensional space. The first and second mapping models are trained together to reduce a distance between positions mapped by the first and second mapping models based on corresponding data subsets that belong to the same entity. A nearest neighbor dataset to the first dataset is identified based on the first and second mapping models. Data associated with the nearest neighbor dataset is used to impute the missing data items of the first dataset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: PAYPAL, INC.
    Inventors: Itay Margolin, Tomer Handelman
  • Patent number: 12176182
    Abstract: A micro-tooling device, such as, for example, a scanning electron microscope or a focused-ion beam microscope, provides images. A first machine-learning algorithm and a second machine-learning algorithm are sequentially coupled. The first machine-learning algorithm determines a progress along a predefined workflow based on feature recognition in images associated with the workflow. The second machine-learning algorithm predicts settings of operational parameters of the micro-tooling device in accordance with the progress along the predefined workflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Ramani Pichumani, Anthony Morin, David Dryden, Heyjin Chris Park
  • Patent number: 12165837
    Abstract: An improved system and method for inspection of a sample using a particle beam inspection apparatus, and more particularly, to systems and methods of scanning a sample with a plurality of charged particle beams. An improved method of scanning an area of a sample using N charged particle beams, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to two, and wherein the area of the sample comprises a plurality of scan sections of N consecutive scan lines, includes moving the sample in a first direction. The method also includes scanning, with a first charged particle beam of the N charged particle beams, first scan lines of at least some scan sections of the plurality of scan sections moving towards a probe spot of the first charged particle beam. The method further includes scanning, with a second charged particle beam of the N charged particle beams, second scan lines of at least some scan sections of the plurality of scan sections moving towards a probe spot of the second charged particle beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Martinus Gerardus Maria Johannes Maassen, Joost Jeroen Ottens, Long Ma, Youfei Jiang, Weihua Yin, Wei-Te Li, Xuedong Liu
  • Patent number: 12165831
    Abstract: A multi-electron beam system that forms hundreds of beamlets can focus the beamlets, reduce Coulomb interaction effects, and improve resolutions of the beamlets. A Wien filter with electrostatic and magnetic deflection fields can separate the secondary electron beams from the primary electron beams and can correct the astigmatism and source energy dispersion blurs for all the beamlets simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: KLA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xinrong Jiang, Christopher Sears, Youfei Jiang, Sameet K. Shriyan, Jeong Ho Lee, Michael Steigerwald, Ralph Nyffenegger
  • Patent number: 12165830
    Abstract: Systems and methods of enhancing imaging resolution by reducing crosstalk between detection elements of a secondary charged-particle detector in a multi-beam apparatus are disclosed. The multi-beam apparatus may comprise an electro-optical system comprising a beam-limit aperture plate having a surface substantially perpendicular to an optical axis, the beam-limit aperture plate comprising a first aperture at a first distance relative to the surface of the beam-limit aperture plate, and a second aperture at a second distance relative to the surface of the beam-limit aperture plate, the second distance being different from the first distance. The first aperture may be a part of a first set of apertures of the beam-limit aperture plate at the first distance, and the second aperture may be a part of a second set of apertures of the beam-limit aperture plate at the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Shichen Gu, Weiming Ren, Qingpo Xi
  • Patent number: 12154254
    Abstract: There is provided an analyzer apparatus capable of generating crisp scanned images. In the analyzer apparatus, a sample is scanned with a probe such that a first signal and a second signal are emitted from the sample. The analyzer apparatus comprises: a first detector for detecting the first signal and producing a first detector signal; a second detector for detecting the second signal and producing a second detector signal; and an image processing unit operating (i) to produce a first scanned image and a second scanned image from the first detector signal and the second detector signal, respectively, (ii) to create a filter based on the second scanned image having a higher signal-to-noise ratio than that of the first scanned image, and (iii) to apply the filter to the first scanned image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: JOEL Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Morita, Naoya Tanaka
  • Patent number: 12148144
    Abstract: A wafer inspection system is provided. The wafer inspection system includes a memory unit configured to store an image of a device under test (DUT) on a wafer, an image-uploading unit configured to upload the image to a processing unit, and a processing unit. The processing unit is configured to identify a plurality of candidate regions on the image; generate a confidence score for each of the plurality of candidate regions, wherein the confidence score indicates a probability of a candidate region including a probe mark; select a first candidate region having the highest confidence score as a selected region; determine whether a second candidate region in the plurality of candidate regions includes the same probe mark as the first candidate region; and eliminate the second candidate region if the second candidate region includes the same probe mark as the first candidate region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: NANYA TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chia-Lin Tsai, Hung-Ru Li, Wun-Ye Ku
  • Patent number: 12068129
    Abstract: A system and method of a tilt-column electron beam imaging system is disclosed. The system may include an imaging sub-system. The imaging sub-system may include a plurality of electron beam sources configured to generate a plurality of beamlets. The imaging sub-system may further include a plurality of tilt-illumination columns, where a respective tilt-illumination column is configured to receive a respective beamlet from a respective electron beam source. For the system and method, a first tilt axis of a first tilt-illumination column may be orientated along a first angle and at least one additional tilt axis of at least one additional tilt-illumination column may be orientated along at least one additional angle different from the first angle, where each of the plurality of beamlets pass through a first common crossover volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: KLA Corporation
    Inventors: Xinrong Jiang, Youfei Jiang, Ralph Nyffenegger, Michael Steigerwald
  • Patent number: 12000789
    Abstract: A system for positioning a sample in a charged particle apparatus (CPA) or an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) system includes a sample carrier coupled to a stage inside the vacuum chamber of the CPA or XPS system. The system allows transferring of the sample carrier among multiple CPAs, XPS systems and glove boxes in inert gas or in vacuum. The sample carrier is releasably coupled with the stage in the vacuum chamber of the CPA or the XPS. Multiple electrodes in a sample area of the sample carrier are electrically connectable with the stage by multiple spring contacts between the sample carrier and the stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Libor Novak, Krishna Kanth Neelisetty, Veronika Hammerova, Jan Lasko
  • Patent number: 11982701
    Abstract: Provided is a test method comprising: preparing a plurality of groups for setting, each of which has a plurality of semiconductor devices for setting, and assigning an inspection voltage to each of the respective plurality of groups for setting; performing first testing by applying the assigned inspection voltage to the semiconductor devices for setting, and testing, at a first temperature, the plurality of semiconductor devices for setting included in each of the plurality of groups for setting; performing second testing by testing, at a second temperature different from the first temperature, a semiconductor device for setting having been determined as being non-defective and by detecting a breakdown voltage at which the semiconductor device for setting is broken; acquiring a relationship between the inspection voltage and the breakdown voltage; and setting an applied voltage used when testing a semiconductor device under test at the first temperature, based on the acquired relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuhei Tatemichi, Kenichi Ishii
  • Patent number: 11982634
    Abstract: Techniques for adapting an adaptive specimen image acquisition system using an artificial neural network (ANN) are disclosed. An adaptive specimen image acquisition system is configurable to scan a specimen to produce images of varying qualities. An adaptive specimen image acquisition system first scans a specimen to produce a low-quality image. An ANN identifies objects of interest within the specimen image. A scan mask indicates regions of the image corresponding to the objects of interest. The adaptive specimen image acquisition system scans only the regions of the image corresponding to the objects of interest, as indicated by the scan mask, to produce a high-quality image. The low-quality image and the high-quality image are merged in a final image. The final image shows the objects of interest at a higher quality, and the rest of the specimen at a lower quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventor: Pavel Potocek
  • Patent number: 11977039
    Abstract: There is provided systems and methods for determining variability of cryo-EM protein structures from a set of cryo-electron microscope images. The method includes: performing iterative optimization, each optimization iteration including: determining the updated variability coordinates for individual images from the set of images using a current value of the variability components; determining the updated variability components for multiple images of the set of images, using the updated value of the variability coordinates, by solving a set of linear equations, the linear equations comprising a sum of weighted compositions of projection and back-projection operators, the equations are solved by arranging the equations into a block-diagonal matrix form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Inventor: Ali Punjani
  • Patent number: 11955327
    Abstract: The present invention implements an ion detector with which it is possible to avoid direct collisions of negative ions with a scintillator, prevent degradation of the scintillator, prolong life of the scintillator, reduce the need for maintenance, and perform highly sensitive detection of both positive and negative ions. With respect to a reference line 65 connecting a central point 63 of a positive ion CD 52 and a central point 64 of a counter electrode 54, a central point 66 of a negative ion CD 53 is provided in a region of a side opposite to a region of a side of a central point 67 of a scintillator 56. Positive ions entering from an ion entrance 62 receive a deflection force and collide with the positive ion CD 52 to generate secondary electrons. The generated secondary electrons collide with the scintillator 56 to generate light. The generated light passes through a light guide 59 and is detected by a photomultiplier tube 58. A negative potential barrier is generated along the reference line 65.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyomi Yoshinari, Masuyuki Sugiyama, Yuichiro Hashimoto, Shin Imamura
  • Patent number: 11955310
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission charged particle microscope comprising a charged particle beam source for emitting a charged particle beam, a sample holder for holding a sample, an illuminator for directing the charged particle beam emitted from the charged particle beam source onto the sample, and a control unit for controlling operations of the transmission charged particle microscope. As defined herein, the transmission charged particle microscope is arranged for operating in at least two modes that substantially yield a first magnification whilst keeping said diffraction pattern substantially in focus. Said at least two modes comprise a first mode having first settings of a final projector lens of a projecting system; and a second mode having second settings of said final projector lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventor: Peter Christiaan Tiemeijer
  • Patent number: 11948772
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for adjusting beam condition of charged particles are disclosed. According to certain embodiments, the apparatus includes one or more first multipole lenses displaced above an aperture, the one or more first multipole lenses being configured to adjust a beam current of a charged-particle beam passing through the aperture. The apparatus also includes one or more second multipole lenses displaced below the aperture, the one or more second multipole lenses being configured to adjust at least one of a spot size and a spot shape of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Xuedong Liu
  • Patent number: 11927625
    Abstract: A voltage contrast defect analysis method including the following steps is provided. A voltage contrast defect detection is performed on a die to be tested by using an electron beam inspection machine to find out a defect address of a voltage contrast defect. A first scanning electron microscope image at the defect address of the die to be tested is obtained by using a scanning electron microscope. A first critical dimension of the first scanning electron microscope image at the defect address of the die to be tested is measured. The first critical dimension on the die to be tested is compared with a corresponding second critical dimension on a reference die where no voltage contrast defect occurs at the defect address to determine whether the first critical dimension and the second critical dimension are the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Yue-Ying Yen
  • Patent number: 11901155
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of aligning a charged particle beam apparatus, comprising the steps of providing a charged particle beam apparatus in a first alignment state; using an alignment algorithm, by a processing unit, for effecting an alignment transition from said first alignment state towards a second alignment state of said charged particle beam apparatus; and providing data related to said alignment transition to a modification algorithm for modifying said alignment algorithm in order to effect a modified alignment transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Mykola Kaplenko, Remco Schoenmakers, Oleksii Kaplenko, Ondrej Machek
  • Patent number: 11895931
    Abstract: The invention includes methods, and the structures formed, for multi-qubit chips. The methods may include annealing a Josephson junction of a qubit to either increase or decrease the frequency of the qubit. The conditions of the anneal may be based on historical conditions, and may be chosen to tune each qubit to a desired frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jared B. Hertzberg, Jason S. Orcutt, Hanhee Paik, Sami Rosenblatt, Martin O. Sandberg
  • Patent number: 11823861
    Abstract: The invention provides a charged particle beam device that prevents a leakage of an unnecessary magnetic field to a trajectory of a charged particle beam with which a sample is irradiated in a sample observation according to a boosting method. The charged particle beam device includes: a charged particle source configured to generate the charged particle beam with which the sample is irradiated; an object lens configured to generate the magnetic field for focusing the charged particle beam; and a boosting electrode that is provided inside the object lens and to which a voltage for accelerating the charged particle beam is applied. The boosting electrode is formed of a magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuta Imai, Junichi Katane
  • Patent number: 11821859
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present disclosure provide various techniques for detecting backscatter charged particles, including accelerating charged particle sub-beams along sub-beam paths to a sample, repelling secondary charged particles from detector arrays, and providing devices and detectors which can switch between modes for primarily detecting charged particles and modes for primarily detecting secondary particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Marco Jan-Jaco Wieland, Albertus Victor Gerardus Mangnus
  • Patent number: 11810753
    Abstract: A method of determining aberrations of a charged particle beam (11) focused by a focusing lens (120) toward a sample (10) in a charged particle beam system is described. The method includes: (a) taking one or more images of the sample at one or more defocus settings to provide one or more taken images (h1...N); (b) simulating one or more images of the sample taken at the one or more defocus settings based on a set of beam aberration coefficients (iC) and a focus image of the sample to provide one or more simulated images; (c) comparing the one or more taken images and the one or more simulated images for determining a magnitude (Ri) of a difference therebetween; and (d) varying the set of beam aberration coefficients (iC) to provide an updated set of beam aberration coefficients (i+1C) and repeating (b) and (c) using the updated set of beam aberration coefficients (i+1C) in an iterative process for minimizing said magnitude (Ri).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: ICT Integrated Circuit Testing Gesellschaft für Halbleiterprüftechnik mbH
    Inventors: Dominik Ehberger, John Breuer, Matthias Firnkes
  • Patent number: 11810774
    Abstract: A method for making field emission devices so that they have emitter tips in the form of a needle-like point with a width and length configured such that ratio of the width to the length ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.05, and associated methods for making the tips by 3-D printing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Government of the United States as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Joseph M. Connelly, John R. Harris, John W. Lewellen
  • Patent number: 11810752
    Abstract: The invention provides a power supply device and a charged particle beam device capable of reducing noise generated between a plurality of voltages. The charged particle beam device includes a charged particle gun configured to emit a charged particle beam, a stage on which a sample is to be placed, and a power supply circuit configured to generate a first voltage and a second voltage that determine energy of the charged particle beam and supply the first voltage to the charged particle gun. The power supply circuit includes a first booster circuit configured to generate the first voltage, a second booster circuit configured to generate the second voltage, and a switching control circuit configured to perform switching control of the first booster circuit and the second booster circuit using common switch signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI HIGH-TECH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wen Li, Hiroyuki Takahashi, Makoto Suzuki, Yuzuru Mizuhara
  • Patent number: 11798783
    Abstract: A charged particle assessment tool includes: an objective lens configured to project a plurality of charged particle beams onto a sample, the objective lens having a sample-facing surface defining a plurality of beam apertures through which respective ones of the charged particle beams are emitted toward the sample; and a plurality of capture electrodes adjacent respective ones of the beam apertures and configured to capture charged particles emitted from the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventor: Marco Jan-Jaco Wieland
  • Patent number: 11798778
    Abstract: Method for investigating samples by time-series emission of cathodoluminescence (CL) microscope having electron beam and light sensor. In discovery scan, changes caused by the electron beam are unknown, in an inspection scan changes have already been identified in similar sample. Discovery scan starts by setting parameters of the electron beam to irradiate at a first rate of dose; flushing the buffer of the light sensor; scanning the electron beam over an area of interest on the sample while collecting CL emission with the light sensor, while preventing any reading of the data from the buffer until the entire scanning has been completed; once the entire scanning has been completed, blanking the electron beam and interrogating the buffer to identify a first CL image; and then interrogating the buffer to fetch all remaining CL images and tagging all fetched CL images according to time sequence starting from the first CL image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: ATTOLIGHT AG
    Inventors: Christian Monachon, Matthew John Davies, Fabrice Grondin
  • Patent number: 11786595
    Abstract: A method and system for treating a subject with a disorder which provides within the subject at least one photoactivatable drug for treatment of the subject, applies initiation energy from at least one source to generate inside the subject a preferential x-ray flux for generation of Cherenkov radiation (CR) light capable of activating at least one photoactivatable drug, and from the CR light, activating inside the subject the at least one photoactivatable drug to thereby treat the disorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignees: IMMUNOLIGHT, LLC, DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Mark Oldham, Justus Adamson, Mark W. Dewhirst, Paul Yoon, Harold Walder, Frederic A. Bourke, Jr., Zakaryae Fathi, Wayne F. Beyer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11782001
    Abstract: A cathodoluminescence microscope and method are used to identify and classify dislocations within a semiconductor sample. At least two CL polarized images are concurrently obtained from the sample. The images are added together to obtain a total intensity image. A normalized difference of the images is taken to obtain a degree of polarization (DOP) image. The total intensity and DOP images are compared to differentiate between edge dislocations and screw dislocations within the sample. Edge dislocation density and screw dislocation density may then be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: ATTOLIGHT AG
    Inventors: Marc Fouchier, Christian Monachon
  • Patent number: 11784024
    Abstract: A multi-cell detector may include a first layer having a region of a first conductivity type and a second layer including a plurality of regions of a second conductivity type. The second layer may also include one or more regions of the first conductivity type. The plurality of regions of the second conductivity type may be partitioned from one another, preferably by the one or more regions of the first conductivity type of the second layer. The plurality of regions of the second conductivity type may be spaced apart from one or more regions of the first conductivity type in the second layer. The detector may further include an intrinsic layer between the first and second layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Joe Wang, Yongxin Wang, Zhongwei Chen, Xuerang Hu
  • Patent number: 11776110
    Abstract: In a setting mode, a processor stores in a memory a reference image for pattern search, measurement location information indicating a plurality of measurement locations, and imaging setting information indicating at which magnification imaging is performed. In a measurement mode, the processor controls an imaging section, acquires a target image for pattern search, executes a pattern search on the target image using the reference image, specifies a plurality of imaging positions for imaging each of the plurality of measurement locations based on the measurement location information and a result of the pattern search, causes the imaging section to perform imaging at a magnification set for each measurement location, and measures a dimension of the measurement location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: KEYENCE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11764036
    Abstract: A gas feed device is operated, including displaying a functional parameter of the gas feed device. A gas feed device may carry out the operation, and a particle beam apparatus may include the gas feed device. A method may include predetermining and/or measuring a current temperature of a precursor reservoir of the gas feed device using a temperature measuring unit, where the precursor reservoir contains a precursor to be fed onto an object, loading a flow rate of the precursor through an outlet of the precursor reservoir from a database into a control unit, said flow rate being associated with the current temperature of the precursor reservoir, and (i) displaying the flow rate on the display unit and/or (ii) determining the functional parameter of the precursor reservoir depending on the flow rate using the control unit and informing a user of the gas feed device about the determined functional parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Schmaunz
  • Patent number: 11764045
    Abstract: The disclosure features systems and methods that include: exposing a biological sample to an ion beam that is incident on the sample at a first angle to a plane of the sample by translating a position of the ion beam on the sample in a first direction relative to a projection of a direction of incidence of the ion beam on the sample; after each translation of the ion beam in the first direction, adjusting a focal length of an ion source that generates the ion beam; and measuring and analyzing secondary ions generated from the sample by the ion beam after adjustment of the focal length to determine mass spectral information for the sample, where the sample is labeled with one or more mass tags and the mass spectral information includes populations of the mass tags at locations of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: IONpath, Inc.
    Inventors: Harris Fienberg, David Stumbo, Michael Angelo, Rachel Finck
  • Patent number: 11747292
    Abstract: The charged particle beam apparatus includes a charged particle beam optical system that irradiates a sample mounted on a sample stage with a charged particle beam; a detector that detects a signal generated from the sample; a charged particle beam imaging device that acquires an observation image from the signal detected by the detector; an optical imaging device that captures an optical image of the sample; a stage that rotatably holds the sample stage; a stage control device that controls movement and rotation of the stage; and an image composition unit that combines the plurality of optical images to generate a composite image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Wei Chean Tan, Hiroyuki Chiba
  • Patent number: 11749497
    Abstract: A charged particle beam apparatus covering a wide range of detection angles of charged particles emitted from a sample includes an objective lens for converging charged particle beams emitted from a charged particle source and a detector for detecting charged particles emitted from a sample. The objective lens includes inner and outer magnetic paths which are formed so as to enclose a coil. A first inner magnetic path is disposed at a position opposite to an optical axis of the charged particle beams. A second inner magnetic path, formed at a slant with respect to the optical axis of the charged particle beams, includes a leading end. A detection surface of the detector is disposed at the outer side from a virtual straight line that passes through the leading end and that is parallel to the optical axis of the charged particle beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Shunsuke Mizutani, Shahedul Hoque, Uki Ikeda, Makoto Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11703505
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a nano-dynamic biosensor and a fabrication method therefor. A biosensor according to the present invention comprises a substrate having a hollow structure and a graphene layer formed thereon wherein a probe material is bound to the surface of the graphene layer and the resonance vibration of the hollow structure formed in the substrate is modulated as the probe material increases in weight when a target material to be detected is coupled to the probe material without being labeled, whereby the biosensor is expected to take advantage of the modulation to measure the coupling of the target material including vaccinia virus with high sensitivity on a femtogram (10?15 g) level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science
    Inventors: Seung Hoon Nahm, Nam Hee Lee, Kwon Sang Ryu, Un Bong Baek
  • Patent number: 11686681
    Abstract: Disclosed herein, inter alia, are methods and systems of image analysis useful for rapidly identifying and/or quantifying features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: SINGULAR GENOMICS SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Fedor Trintchouk, Eli N. Glezer
  • Patent number: 11669953
    Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a pattern matching device and computer program that carry out highly accurate positioning even if edge positions and numbers change. The present invention proposes a computer program and a pattern matching device wherein a plurality of edges included in first pattern data to be matched and a plurality of edges included in second pattern data to be matched with the first pattern data are associated, a plurality of different association combinations are prepared, the plurality of association combinations are evaluated using index values for the plurality of edges, and matching processing is carried out using the association combinations selected through the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Wataru Nagatomo, Yuichi Abe, Mitsuji Ikeda
  • Patent number: 11650495
    Abstract: The present application relates to an apparatus for determining a position of at least one element on a photolithographic mask, said apparatus comprising: (a) at least one scanning particle microscope comprising a first reference object, wherein the first reference object is disposed on the scanning particle microscope in such a way that the scanning particle microscope can be used to determine a relative position of the at least one element on the photolithographic mask relative to the first reference object; and (b) at least one distance measuring device, which is embodied to determine a distance between the first reference object and a second reference object, wherein there is a relationship between the second reference object and the photolithographic mask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss SMT GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Budach, Nicole Auth
  • Patent number: 11645740
    Abstract: A method for detector equalization during the imaging of objects with a multi-beam particle microscope includes performing an equalization on the basis of individual images in or on the basis of overlap regions. For detector equalization, contrast values and/or brightness values are used and iterative methods can be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss MultiSEM GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Zeidler, Michael Behnke, Stefan Schubert, Christof Riedesel
  • Patent number: 11594396
    Abstract: A multi-beam inspection apparatus supporting a plurality of operation modes is disclosed. The charged particle beam apparatus for inspecting a sample supporting a plurality of operation modes comprises a charged particle beam source configured to emit a charged particle beam along a primary optical axis, a movable aperture plate, movable between a first position and a second position, and a controller having circuitry and configured to change the configuration of the apparatus to switch between a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the movable aperture plate is positioned in the first position and is configured to allow a first charged particle beamlet derived from the charged particle beam to pass through. In the second mode, the movable aperture plate is positioned in the second position and is configured to allow the first charged particle beamlet and a second charged particle beamlet to pass through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Weiming Ren, Xuedong Liu, Xuerang Hu, Zhong-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 11569060
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for adjusting beam condition of charged particles are disclosed. According to certain embodiments, the apparatus includes one or more first multipole lenses displaced above an aperture, the one or more first multipole lenses being configured to adjust a beam current of a charged-particle beam passing through the aperture. The apparatus also includes one or more second multipole lenses displaced below the aperture, the one or more second multipole lenses being configured to adjust at least one of a spot size and a spot shape of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Xuedong Liu
  • Patent number: 11562880
    Abstract: A particle beam system includes: a particle source to generate a beam of charged particles; a first multi-lens array including a first multiplicity of individually adjustable and focusing particle lenses so that at least some of the particles pass through openings in the multi-lens array in the form of a plurality of individual particle beams; a second multi-aperture plate including a multiplicity of second openings downstream of the first multi-lens array so that some of the particles which pass the first multi-lens array impinge on the second multi-aperture plate and some of the particles which pass the first multi-lens array pass through the openings in the second multi-aperture plate; and a controller configured to supply an individually adjustable voltage to the particle lenses of the first multi-lens array and thus individually adjust the focusing of the associated particle lens for each individual particle beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss MultiSEM GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Zeidler, Hans Fritz, Ingo Mueller, Georgo Metalidis
  • Patent number: 11555779
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a sample analyzer and an analyzing method thereof. The sample analyzer includes a first beam source configured to provide a first energy beam to a sample, a second beam source configured to provide a second energy beam, which is different from the first energy beam, to the sample, a reflected beam sensor disposed between the second beam source and the sample to detect a reflected beam of the second energy beam, which is reflected by one side of the sample, and a transmitted beam sensor disposed adjacent to the other side of the sample to detect a transmitted beam of the second energy beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Moon Youn Jung, Won Bae Cho, Dong Hoon Song, Dong-Ho Shin, Sang Kyun Lee
  • Patent number: 11536675
    Abstract: There is provided an analytical method capable of generating a high resolution spectrum of X-rays with an intended energy. The analytical method is for use in an analytical apparatus having a diffraction grating for spectrally dispersing X-rays emanating from a sample, an image sensor for detecting the spectrally dispersed X-rays, and an incident angle control mechanism for controlling the incident angle of X-rays impinging on the diffraction grating. The image sensor has a plurality of photosensitive elements arranged in the direction of energy dispersion. The analytical method starts with specifying an energy of X-rays to be acquired. The incident angle is adjusted based on the specified energy to bring the focal plane of the diffraction grating into positional coincidence with those one or ones of the photosensitive elements which detect X-rays having the specified energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: JEOL Ltd.
    Inventor: Takanori Murano
  • Patent number: 11527379
    Abstract: An objective lens arrangement includes a first, second and third pole pieces, each being substantially rotationally symmetric. The first, second and third pole pieces are disposed on a same side of an object plane. An end of the first pole piece is separated from an end of the second pole piece to form a first gap, and an end of the third pole piece is separated from an end of the second pole piece to form a second gap. A first excitation coil generates a focusing magnetic field in the first gap, and a second excitation coil generates a compensating magnetic field in the second gap. First and second power supplies supply current to the first and second excitation coils, respectively. A magnetic flux generated in the second pole piece is oriented in a same direction as a magnetic flux generated in the second pole piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignees: CARL ZEISS MICROSCOPY GMBH, APPLIED MATERIALS ISRAEL LTD.
    Inventors: Rainer Knippelmeyer, Stefan Schubert
  • Patent number: 11521827
    Abstract: A fast method of imaging a 2D sample with a multi-beam particle microscope includes the following steps: providing a layer of the 2D sample; determining a feature size of features included in the layer; determining a pixel size based on the determined feature size in the layer; determining a beam pitch size between individual beams in the layer based on the determined pixel size; and imaging the layer of the 2D sample with a setting of the multi-beam particle microscope based on the determined pixel size and based on the determined beam pitch size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Inventors: Dirk Zeidler, Anna Lena Eberle
  • Patent number: 11508551
    Abstract: A detection and correction method for an electron beam system are provided. The method includes emitting an electron beam towards a specimen; modulating a beam current of the electron beam to obtain a beam signal. The method further includes detecting, using an electron detector, secondary and/or backscattered electrons emitted by the specimen to obtain electron data, wherein the electron data defines a detection signal. The method further includes determining, using a processor, a phase shift between the beam signal and the detection signal. The method further includes filtering, using the processor, the detection signal based on the phase shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: KLA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Henning Stoschus, Stefan Eyring, Christopher Sears